Looking for a laugh-inducing movie with scares? 'The End of Oak Street' may be for you

4 min read
Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, “The End of Oak Street” sees one neighbourhood street, Oak Street, get ripped out of suburbia and transported to someplace unknown through a mysterious cosmic event.
Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, “The End of Oak Street” sees one neighbourhood street, Oak Street, get ripped out of suburbia and transported to someplace unknown through a mysterious cosmic event.Picture: Supplied

Imagine waking up to find out your neighbourhood was transported to the Mesozoic Era, where you have to contend with all kinds of dinosaurs and have to find a way to survive. This is the very problem the Platt family has to deal with in “The End of Oak Street”.

The new movie, which released in cinemas August 14, is a fun and at times over-the-top ride with plenty of jump-scare moments and laughter-inducing humour. This is carried throughout with an entertaining performance by Anne Hathaway (Denise), along with a solid performance by Ewan McGregor (Greg).

Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, “The End of Oak Street” sees one neighbourhood street, Oak Street, get ripped out of suburbia and transported to someplace unknown through a mysterious cosmic event.

The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings. “The End of Oak Street” also stars Maisy Stella and Christian Convery, and is produced by J.J. Abrams, Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson and Tommy Harper.

The film takes its time to set up the whole premise, and in doing so, takes a good 20 minutes to settle into its tone. The tone that you expect within the first act of the film is not the tone which the rest of the movie is steeped in.

The second act of the movie is really where the over-the-top antics and comedy comes into play, bringing hilarious deaths as the threat of the dinosaurs ramps up and builds tension. The stakes feel real and the directing, writing, and acting help you feel invested in the dangers the family faces.

That being said, the movie does benefit from taking its time to construct the characters’ world which could be the very thing which ensures the possibility of future instalments.

The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings. The End of Oak Street also stars Maisy Stella and Christian Convery, and is produced by J.J. Abrams, Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson and Tommy Harper.
The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings. The End of Oak Street also stars Maisy Stella and Christian Convery, and is produced by J.J. Abrams, Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson and Tommy Harper. Picture: Supplied
The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings.
The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings.Picture: Supplied

“The End of Oak Street” has moments which feel intentionally Spielbergian, especially to his dinosaur movie, Jurassic Park, which, if there is ever a dinosaur film you want to pay homage to, that would not be a bad one.

If there is one weak link in this, it may just be McGregor, who is seen comedically running away from a dinosaur in one scene, but the look on his face is the furthest thing away from being in danger or being scared. It felt as if he was jogging when the threat his character faced required a flat out sprint.

What the movie really has working in its favour is that it has good jump-scares, unexpected antics, and a super enjoyable performance by Anne Hathaway. While one may wonder if she has been exposed with the number of movies released this year, there is no denying that she commits to her characters and really gives solid performances.

I sat next to someone in the cinema, who nearly jumped out of her seat at every jump-scare, and her reaction added to my enjoyment of the film when those unexpected scary moments would occur. The director did a good job at timing those well and making them feel unexpected enough.

There are moments in the film where the characters do idiotic things or make stupid choices, and while they may be eye-roll inducing, those moments of groaning at character choices does also add to the joy.

Robert Mitchell said that he set the film in the 80s because he grew up around that time which had really strong character-based films. He said that his characters, Platt family, all have their own issues, their own struggles, their own little secrets they are unable to share with each other.

“The End of Oak Street”, written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, sees one neighbourhood street, Oak Street, get ripped out of suburbia and transported to someplace unknown through a mysterious cosmic event.
“The End of Oak Street”, written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, sees one neighbourhood street, Oak Street, get ripped out of suburbia and transported to someplace unknown through a mysterious cosmic event.Picture: Supplied

After watching the film, he did fall short of making it truly character-based, but the 80s aspect works well. If anything, the movie could have leaned a little more into the 80s theme because the movie felt like it was half-heartedly committing to the aesthetic and era. There is a way to pay homage and portray the 80s without making the film feel dated. 

Overall, the movie is a fun ride that people will slowly fall in love with the more they discover it, and watch it. While “The End of Oak Street” is not perfect, it knows exactly what type of movie it is, and that intentionality makes for a better filmgoing experience.

★★★½ (3.5/5): Even though there are better movies playing in the cinema at this moment, this one is still a fun and good time, the whole family can watch.

theolin.tembo@national.mg.co.za

THE NATIONAL